From Purpose to Profit: How to Build Sustainability into Your Business Strategy

Summary

In this episode of the Sustainability Transformations podcast, Lee Stewart, a sustainability strategist and author, discusses the evolution of sustainability in business, the importance of embedding sustainability into core business strategies, and the role of leadership in driving change. He emphasizes the need for companies to understand their carbon emissions, particularly Scope 3 emissions, and the significance of climate-related financial disclosures. Lee also shares insights on innovative tools for sustainability and emerging trends in the ESG space, encouraging businesses to take actionable steps towards sustainability.

speaker bio:

Lee Stewart is a seasoned sustainability professional and the author of "How to Build Sustainability into Your Business Strategy." With over 20 years of corporate sustainability experience, Lee has worked across Australia, the UK, Japan, and New Zealand, spanning startups, consulting, and large multinationals. He is a qualified climate reality speaker and mentor, trained by Al Gore, and has delivered over 200 speaking engagements on sustainability and climate change.contact: www.leestewart.com.au/; linkedin.com/in/leestewart

Takeaways

Sustainability is a journey that requires continuous evolution.

Understanding your carbon baseline is crucial for effective strategy.

Embedding sustainability into business strategy is essential for long-term success.

Materiality assessments help identify what matters most to stakeholders.

Leadership buy-in is critical for successful sustainability initiatives.

Scope 3 emissions are often the most challenging to measure and manage.

Climate-related financial disclosures are becoming mandatory for businesses.

Long-term thinking is necessary for effective board dynamics.

Technology can play a significant role in enhancing sustainability efforts.

Taking action, no matter how small, is better than inaction.